Canadian Lawyer

30 www.canadianlawyermag.com FEATURE WELLBEING THE WORLD of work is undergoing a massive transformation: from artificial intel- ligence to robotics and automation, what humans currently do and will be doing for work in the future is changing. The World Economic Forum predicts that "65% of children entering primary school today will ultimately end up working in completely new job types that don't yet exist." While demographic shifts and technological advancements play a role, it is already being recognised that the health and stress of workers — their wellbeing — is an essential factor that will impact and define the future of work. The future of the 'workplace' COVID-19 has necessitated the most trans- formational shifts in the way we work for perhaps a century. The most notable was when, almost overnight, the office-bound workforce globally relocated to their homes. The digital transformation of our organi- sations was achieved not through manage- Whether we're working from home or adapting to new technology, the way we do our jobs will continue to change, says Mark McCrindle ment strategy or a new technology solu- tion, but by the realities of this virus. For the first time in modern history, working from home became the norm and even ushered in a new three-letter acronym to describe it: WFH. And it is here to stay. Our national survey carried out during the COVID-19 crisis showed that 69% of employees were as productive, if not more so, when working from home than they were at the office. It also showed that far from being a temporary response to a global pandemic, 78% said working from home would become the new normal. It has already been a challenge for leaders The future of work and wellbeing to ensure the wellbeing of their staff when they gather in their physical office. It's an even greater challenge when staff are operating remotely from their individual places of residence. New decade, new generations, new career options Work will remain a key feature of life in the future, as it is now. Almost two in three employed Australians work full-time, and of these, more than half are putting in 40 or more hours per week. However, the average length of time Australians stay in a job has shortened to just under three years. If this tenure continues, then today's school leaver With the realities of massive change facing individuals, organisations and sectors, many are thinking about how they can future-proof their careers.

• Cover